Shawn Pelton

Last updated
Shawn Pelton
Born (1963-06-01) June 1, 1963 (age 60)
Kansas City, Missouri, US
Instrument(s)Drums, percussion

Shawn Pelton is an American drummer and percussionist. He has recorded with a wide range of artists and has been a first call [lower-alpha 1] player since moving to New York in the late 1980s. [2]

Contents

Pelton has recorded with artists such as Sheryl Crow, [3] Shawn Colvin, Natalie Merchant, Ingrid Michaelson, Billy Joel, Van Morrison, Elton John, Rod Stewart, Johnny Cash, Rosanne Cash, Pink, Shakira, Kelly Clarkson, Five For Fighting, Michelle Branch, Regina Spektor, Tears for Fears, Gianluca Grignani, Citizen Cope, Matisyahu, Jonatha Brooke, David Byrne, Edie Brickell, Marc Cohn, Richie Havens, Joan Osborne, Hall and Oates, Odetta, Pavarotti, Phillip Phillips, George Michael, Carly Simon, Dixie Chicks, Chris Botti and Buddy Guy, and has played on several Grammy winning albums for artists including Ray Charles, The Brecker Brothers, Shawn Colvin, Les Paul and the Hank Williams tribute album with Bob Dylan. [4]

Pelton is also the longtime drummer in the house band for the NBC TV network's sketch comedy and music program Saturday Night Live. [5]

Shawn was the touring drummer on Jon Bon Jovi's Destination Anywhere tour in 1997-1998. [6]

Early life

Pelton was born in Kansas City, Missouri.

"I grew up always banging on things," Pelton said describing his childhood. His first real musical instrument was a cello in 5th grade. But he "bailed as soon as possible to the drums," Pelton said. "I was running around doing gigs at 14, which was a great situation, to actually be in a band that young. The sooner you start making music with other people the better." [7]

Education

Pelton studied at Indiana University's Jacobs School of Music in Bloomington, Indiana, earning a bachelor's degree and a Performer's Certificate in 1985. [4] While there, Pelton studied with Kenny Aronoff, who at the time was the drummer for John Mellencamp. [4] During his summer breaks, Pelton sought out experts elsewhere, including Alan Dawson, [7] who is best known as an early teacher of jazz drummer Tony Williams.

During his time as a student, Pelton taught for a brief period, and also conducted private drum lessons. One of his students was Pete Wilhoit, who would later become a member of Fiction Plane, the opening act for The Police on their 2007 reunion global tour. [8]

Career

He joined the Saturday Night Live band in 1992, [4] saying "It’s a pretty mellow gig...It’s really only 20 days out of the year." [9]

Since 2007, Pelton has been regularly appearing as the drummer on Daryl Hall's internet concert series Live from Daryl's House.

Pelton also served periodically as the substitute drummer in the CBS Orchestra on Late Show with David Letterman during regular drummer Anton Fig's absences.

Pelton is also a founding member of the NYC-based band The Cringe.

Selected discography

Album TitleArtistYear Released
Out Of The Loop Brecker Brothers 1994
Picture Perfect Morning Edie Brickell 1994
Plumb Jonatha Brooke 1995
A Few Small Repairs Shawn Colvin 1996
Live! The Real Deal Buddy Guy 1996
Midnight Without You Chris Botti 1997
Little Ship Loudon Wainwright III 1997
Marigold Sky Hall & Oates 1997
Fool's Parade Peter Wolf 1998
Burning The Daze Marc Cohn 1998
Tracks Bruce Springsteen 1998
Blues Everywhere I Go Odetta 1999
Timeless: Hank Williams Tributewith Bob Dylan 2001
Look into the Eyeball David Byrne 2001
Whole New You Shawn Colvin 2001
How Sweet It Is Joan Osborne 2002
What If It All Means Something Chantal Kreviazuk 2002
Sleepless Peter Wolf 2002
C'mon, C'mon Sheryl Crow 2002
Home Dixie Chicks 2002
How Sweet It Is Joan Osborne 2002
Hotel Paper Michelle Branch 2003
C'mon America (Live DVD) Sheryl Crow 2003
Smile Lyle Lovett 2003
Breakaway Kelly Clarkson 2004
Genius Loves Company Ray Charles 2004
Just Like There's Nothin' to It Steve Forbert 2004
The Battle for Everything Five for Fighting 2004
The Clarence Greenwood Recordings Citizen Cope 2004
Earth Tones Charlie Hunter 2005
The Legend (Columbia) Johnny Cash 2005
All I Really Want For Christmas Steven Curtis Chapman 2005
These Four Walls Shawn Colvin 2006
Black Cadillac Rosanne Cash 2006
Begin to Hope Regina Spektor 2006
Can't Quit the Blues Buddy Guy 2006
I'm Not Dead P!nk 2006
Innovation Charlie Hunter 2006
Oral Fixation, Vols. 1-2 Shakira 2006
Secret World Tears for Fears 2006
Separate Ways Teddy Thompson 2006
Stand Still, Look Pretty The Wreckers 2006
Home For Christmas Hall & Oates 2006
Sleepless (Peter Wolf album) Peter Wolf 2007
My December Kelly Clarkson 2007
Abbey Sings Abbey Abbey Lincoln 2007
Forever Ray Charles Ray Charles 2007
Hits and Rarities Sheryl Crow 2007
Supermoon Zap Mama 2007
The Best of Van Morrison, Vol. 3 Van Morrison 2007
Les Paul and Friends: Tribute to a Legend Les Paul 2008
Bleu Pétrole Alain Bashung 2008
Nobody Left to Crown Richie Havens 2008
The List Rosanne Cash 2009
Light Matisyahu 2009
Greatest Hits... So Far!!! P!nk 2010
The Essential Rosanne Cash Rosanne Cash 2011
The Complete EP Collection James McCartney 2011
Human Again Ingrid Michaelson 2012
The World from the Side of the Moon Phillip Phillips 2012
Living in Color Alexz Johnson 2013
A cure for loneliness Peter Wolf 2016

Collaborations

Notes

  1. A first call musician is session musician whom a producer values and trusts to call first for needed work [1]

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Sheryl Crow</span> American musician (born 1962)

Sheryl Suzanne Crow is an American musician, singer, and songwriter. Her music incorporates elements of rock, pop, country, folk, and blues. She has released eleven studio albums, five compilations, and three live albums, and contributed to several film soundtracks. Her most popular songs include "All I Wanna Do" (1994), "Strong Enough" (1994), "If It Makes You Happy" (1996), "Everyday Is a Winding Road" (1996), "My Favorite Mistake" (1998), "Picture", and "Soak Up the Sun" (2002).

<span class="mw-page-title-main">43rd Annual Grammy Awards</span> Award ceremony

The 43rd Annual Grammy Awards were held on February 21, 2001, at the Staples Center in Los Angeles, California. They recognized accomplishments by musicians from the year 2000. Several artists earned three awards on the night. Steely Dan's haul included Album of the Year for Two Against Nature. U2 took home the Record of the Year and Song of the Year for "Beautiful Day". Dr. Dre won Producer of the Year, Non-Classical and Best Rap Album for Eminem's The Marshall Mathers LP. Eminem himself also received three awards, out of four nominations. Faith Hill took home Best Country Album for the album Breathe, Best Female Country Vocal Performance for the song's title track and Best Country Collaboration with Vocals with Tim McGraw for "Let's Make Love". Madonna opened the show with "Music".

The 39th Annual Grammy Awards were held on February 26, 1997, at Madison Square Garden, New York City. They recognized accomplishments by musicians from the previous year. Babyface was the night's biggest winner, with 3 awards. Celine Dion, Toni Braxton, Sheryl Crow, and The Fugees won two awards. Celine Dion for "Best Pop Album" and "Album of the Year" and Toni Braxton for "Best Female R&B Vocal Performance" and "Best Female Pop Vocal Performance". The show was hosted by Ellen Degeneres who also performed the opening with Shawn Colvin, Bonnie Rait, and Chaka Khan.

<i>Cmon, Cmon</i> (album) 2002 studio album by Sheryl Crow

C'mon, C'mon is the fourth studio album by American singer-songwriter Sheryl Crow, released on April 8, 2002, in the United Kingdom and April 16, 2002 in the United States. Lead single "Soak Up the Sun" peaked at No. 1 on the Billboard Adult Contemporary chart and No. 17 on the Billboard Hot 100, becoming one of her biggest hits since "All I Wanna Do". The album was arguably her most pop-influenced to date, a big departure from the folk and rock sound on her previous release, The Globe Sessions.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Juno Award for International Album of the Year</span> Category of Canadian music award

The Juno Award for International Album of the Year is an annual award given to a non-Canadian album. It has been given out since 1975. It was formerly known as Best Selling Album (Foreign or Domestic) (1993–2002), Best Selling Album by a Foreign Artist (1992), International Album of the Year (1981–1991), and Best Selling International Album (1975–1980). Thus, the rules have changed slightly over the years. (Céline Dion, a Canadian won in 1999, 1997 & 1995 and Bryan Adams, also a Canadian won in 1993.)

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Larry Campbell (musician)</span> American musician

Larry Campbell is an American singer and multi-instrumentalist who plays many stringed instruments in genres including country, folk, blues, and rock. Campbell is best known for his time as part of Bob Dylan's Never Ending Tour band from 1997 to 2004, his association with Levon Helm of The Band, and the musical director of the Midnight Rambles.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Doyle Bramhall II</span> American guitarist

Doyle Bramhall II is an American guitarist, producer and songwriter best known for his work with Eric Clapton and Roger Waters. He is the son of the songwriter and drummer Doyle Bramhall.

<i>Rules of Travel</i> 2003 studio album by Rosanne Cash

Rules of Travel is a studio album by singer-songwriter Rosanne Cash, released in 2003. It was her first album of new material in nearly seven years. On the track "September When It Comes," she is joined by her father Johnny Cash; Johnny Cash would in fact die in September 2003, making this one of the last recordings to be released during his lifetime.

Brian MacLeod is an American recording drummer and songwriter. He has been a member of Group 87, Wire Train, Toy Matinee, and the "Tuesday Music Club" collective along with Sheryl Crow's acclaimed album Tuesday Night Music Club. MacLeod lives in Southern California.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">John Leventhal</span> American musician, producer and songwriter

John Leventhal is a musician, producer, songwriter, and recording engineer who has produced albums for William Bell, The Blind Boys of Alabama, Michelle Branch, Rosanne Cash, Marc Cohn, Shawn Colvin, Sarah Jarosz, Rodney Crowell, Jim Lauderdale, Joan Osborne, Loudon Wainwright III and The Wreckers. He has won six Grammy Awards.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Wayne Isham</span> American director

Wayne Isham is an American film director and music video director who has directed films and music videos of many popular artists.

Brian Mitchell is a musical artist who records and performs his own original music. He has also worked with artists such as Levon Helm & The Midnight Ramble Band, Bob Dylan, BB King, Al Green, Dolly Parton, Buster Poindexter, and Allen Toussaint. Mitchell has appeared on five Grammy Award-winning recordings, three with Levon Helm, and one each with BB King and with Les Paul. In 2015, Brian was inducted into the New York Blues Hall of Fame. He is known to have versatility on piano, Hammond B-3 organ, accordion, various vintage keyboards and harmonica, plus his distinct vocal stylings. Mitchell believed that music is life music can heal people

<span class="mw-page-title-main">We Are One: The Obama Inaugural Celebration at the Lincoln Memorial</span> January 18, 2009 concert

We Are One: The Obama Inaugural Celebration at the Lincoln Memorial was a public celebration of the then forthcoming inauguration of Barack Obama as the 44th President of the United States at the Lincoln Memorial and the National Mall in Washington, D.C., on January 18, 2009. By some estimates the attendance was over 400,000.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Jon Button</span> American bass player

Jon Button is an American bass player born in Fairbanks, Alaska, and based in Los Angeles, California. Button has played on commercial, film and television scores and toured with a number of well-known artists. He plays both electric and upright string bass.

Peter Stroud is a US guitarist best known for his work with Sheryl Crow, Don Henley, Pete Droge, and Sarah McLachlan. He is cofounder of 65amps, a company manufacturing guitar amplifiers.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">John Shanks</span> American record producer and songwriter

John Matthew Shanks is an American songwriter, record producer and guitarist.

Thesongadayproject was created by the American singer-songwriter, Zachary Scot Johnson, in September 2012. The first day, featured a cover version of Donovan's "Catch The Wind". Johnson set out with a goal to record a song a day, every day, for as long as he could. As of December, 2023, Johnson has uploaded over 4, 000 songs, spanning over eleven full years, and has accumulated over 42 million views.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Jeff Trott</span> American singer-songwriter

Jeffrey Robert Trott is an American songwriter/producer and multi-instrumentalist who has collaborated with prominent artists across genres in the United States and abroad. Trott has been named BMI Songwriter of the Year.

<i>The Unbroken Circle: The Musical Heritage of the Carter Family</i> 2004 various artists compilation album

The Unbroken Circle: The Musical Heritage of the Carter Family is a 2004 compilation album featuring various artists performing the work of country music pioneers The Carter Family.

References

  1. Owsinski, Bobby; Ill, Paul (November 21, 2011). "Who Hires Session Musicians?".
  2. Earthworks Audio Artist's page, Retrieved on 2012-09-18.
  3. Sheryl Crow official website Archived 2009-08-14 at the Wayback Machine , Retrieved on 2009-04-23.
  4. 1 2 3 4 "Shawn Pelton Artist Page". Zildjian. Retrieved 21 February 2013.
  5. Mackey, Dave. SNL band fansite, Retrieved on 2009-04-23
  6. Jon Bon Jovi - It's Just Me (London 1997), archived from the original on 2021-12-15, retrieved 2019-10-03
  7. 1 2 "New York State of Mind: Shawn Pelton", DW Edge Magazine. Archived 2009-02-08 at the Wayback Machine 2004. Retrieved on 2009-04-23.
  8. Graham, Andy (15 July 2007). "Stranger than Fiction". Herald Times. Retrieved 21 February 2013.
  9. Hichak, Paul G. of rhythmtech.com, "Live from New York, It's Shawn Pelton", Drummerworld, Retrieved on 2009-04-23.